Aston Martin makes some of the most beautiful cars in the world. Absolutely gorgeous vehicles inside and out. However, under the hood they are a bit lacking and Aston may offer world class styling but not world class performance or efficiency. The Aston Martin Vantage AMV8 uses essentially an old Jaguar based V8 design from the 1980's. Aston's same old V12 continually gets massaged for new models such as DB9, Vanquish, and Rapide but can only be pushed so far. Modern engine designs are long overdue.

So what is a specialized company like Aston to do? Spend all the money themselves on new development? That is a risky proposition and Lotus had lofty ambitions to do so but failed. They now cancelled models and use Toyota based motors. The future of Aston Martin seems to be motors with a Mercedes-Benz influence.

This is what Aston Martin's head of product development Ian Minards had to say, “Aston Martin sources cutting edge technology from key suppliers around the globe and the opportunity to include content from Mercedes-AMG GmbH in our next generation sports cars is, clearly, good news."

He's not wrong here. An Aston Martin with an AMG heart is the solution to their problems and sounds absolutely tantalizing. An AMG turbo V12 Vanquish or Rapide? How about an M156/M158 63 AMG V8 under the hood of the Vantage? Suddenly Aston Martin would be competing with all the big boys including Porsche, BMW, Audi, you name it.

This partnership will allow Aston Martin to save costs and expand its lineup. A sport utility vehicle now seems like a possibility. Who knows where this will lead to but it is definitely good news for all involved especially considering the previous deal fell apart. Let's all sit back and see what this leads to namely better Aston Martin vehicles with modern technology.

Ola Källenius, Head of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: “We are proud to work with Aston Martin and provide them with powertrain and e/e components for their forthcoming sports cars.”

Aston Martin Product Development Director Ian Minards: “We have selected AMG specifically as the basis for this powertrain development process.”

Mercedes-AMG GmbH, a 100% subsidiary and the high performance brand of Daimler AG, and Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. intend to enter a technical partnership. A corresponding Letter of Intent has been signed today. Essential elements of the planned partnership are supply agreements between Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Benz Cars and Aston Martin. Mercedes-AMG will supply Aston Martin with engines, while Mercedes-Benz Cars will provide the British luxury sports car manufacturer with e/e (electric/electronic) components for Aston Martin’s future models.
In addition to those agreements, Daimler will receive up to 5% equity in Aston Martin without cash consideration in several steps following the progress of the technical partnership. At the same time, the company will receive an observer status in the Board of Management of Aston Martin. Based on the Letter of Intent, both parties have the intention to work towards signing of definitive agreements during the second half of the year. The overall transaction is subject to the conclusion on definitive agreement and applicable regulatory approvals, if required.
Ola Källenius, Head of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: “We are proud to work with Aston Martin and provide them with powertrain and e/e components for their forthcoming sports cars. This is proof of AMG’s technological and performance expertise and a real win-win situation for both sides.”
Aston Martin Product Development Director Ian Minards said: “We have selected AMG specifically as the basis for this powertrain development process. Aston Martin sources cutting edge technology from key suppliers around the globe and the opportunity to include content from Mercedes-AMG GmbH in our next generation sports cars is, clearly, good news.”

Not the least due to competitive reasons, both parties agreed on non-disclosure of further details of the planned partnership for the time being.

That speaks volumes about how good AMG motors are. But I gotta admit, the Aston V12 (Vanquish) is one of the best sounds motors I've ever heard.
This will be interesting to see how the aftermarket tuners for AMG will now be de facto AM tuners as well.

That speaks volumes about how good AMG motors are. But I gotta admit, the Aston V12 (Vanquish) is one of the best sounds motors I've ever heard.
This will be interesting to see how the aftermarket tuners for AMG will now be de facto AM tuners as well.

Oh the Aston engines sound great and they aren't bad engines by any means they just are outdated for modern emission and performance standards. That Jag V8 has been around forever...

What I want to see is a partnership with Weistec to provide factory supercharged M156. 700hp SC'd V8 Aston= My guess is They will use the M157, although the M156 would be a better replacement for the V12's IMO. Low end turbo torque in an Aston doesn't sound near as appealing as something loud and high revving, with a strong mid range (more similar to their existing powerplants). An SC'd M156 would provide the throttle response that Aston drivers are used to and more power than they will ever need.

The high HP/Tq potential of AMG motors will open the door to higher performance track oriented models, although that isn't really Aston Martins game. However it would be exciting to see them test the waters of the street legal track weapon market.

Just no DCT please. I want to see an AMG engine paired to a manual trans (dreaming I know).

What I want to see is a partnership with Weistec to provide factory supercharged M156. 700hp SC'd V8 Aston= My guess is They will use the M157, although the M156 would be a better replacement for the V12's IMO. Low end turbo torque in an Aston doesn't sound near as appealing as something loud and high revving, with a strong mid range (more similar to their existing powerplants). An SC'd M156 would provide the throttle response that Aston drivers are used to and more power than they will ever need.

The high HP/Tq potential of AMG motors will open the door to higher performance track oriented models, although that isn't really Aston Martins game. However it would be exciting to see them test the waters of the street legal track weapon market.

Just no DCT please. I want to see an AMG engine paired to a manual trans (dreaming I know).

I would prefer the M156/M159 but we'll see. Those motors are on their way out though.

"While it will get to use certain electric and electronic components from AMG, the true golden egg for the maker of the Vanquish will be the ability to develop a new line of "bespoke V8 powertrains" that will be fitted to "a new generation of models."

"While it will get to use certain electric and electronic components from AMG, the true golden egg for the maker of the Vanquish will be the ability to develop a new line of "bespoke V8 powertrains" that will be fitted to "a new generation of models."

Hmmm. Sounds similar to the AMG-Pagani relationship on a larger, more commercially focused scale.

Exciting stuff no matter how you view it.
@Sticky I would be fine with them offering both the manual and a DCT so long as the manual is well engineered to work with the platform. My concern is that the past has shown that once the DCT arrives, the manual gets forgotten. For example. the E39 was the last M5 with a good manual trans.

Lightning quick shifts and turbo torque are great and all, but a perfect upshift under high cornering load coming out of a corner is infinitely more satisfying that a stoplight blast with launch control. My $.02

I guess my biggest concern is that the new Astons will be high powered turbo cars with a DCT that lack Aston DNA.

Not like it matters, I cant afford one. Most of the people who can will gobble up a car with Aston design and stupid strait line performance. Throw in a bunch of suspension settings to make your car feel like it handles better than it does and you have a winner (for the sales dept.).

"While it will get to use certain electric and electronic components from AMG, the true golden egg for the maker of the Vanquish will be the ability to develop a new line of "bespoke V8 powertrains" that will be fitted to "a new generation of models."

Exactly it will be interesting to see if AMG just plugs in what they have or if they adapt their current architecture for Aston Martin.

What's wrong with the other M5 boxes? The E46 M3 with SMG just used the M5 manual gearbox and I assume the newer cars did the same thing. I never heard anything regarding a new ground up manual transmission.

Originally Posted by DFM

Lightning quick shifts and turbo torque are great and all, but a perfect upshift under high cornering load coming out of a corner is infinitely more satisfying that a stoplight blast with launch control. My $.02

The people who prefer a manual transmission should be the same people who prefer a well made naturally aspirated powerlpant with response and linear power.

Originally Posted by DFM

I guess my biggest concern is that the new Astons will be high powered turbo cars with a DCT that lack Aston DNA.

What's wrong with the other M5 boxes? The E46 M3 with SMG just used the M5 manual gearbox and I assume the newer cars did the same thing. I never heard anything regarding a new ground up manual transmission.

That is exactly my point. BMW has put the manual transmission into the "aint broke don't fix" category because it was no longer as important to them. Even if it is a fantastic box, its old now. Other makes have new 7 speed manuals. I have also read that the manual transmission in the E60/F10 M5 was disappointing. Same with the 550.

That is exactly my point. BMW has put the manual transmission into the "aint broke don't fix" category because it was no longer as important to them. Even if it is a fantastic box, its old now. Other makes have new 7 speed manuals. I have also read that the manual transmission in the E60/F10 M5 was disappointing. Same with the 550.

Disappointing according to who? Where did you read that? IMO the bimmers still have some of the smoothest yet responsive manuals around. What more do you want? I can't say 7 speed manual is exactly attractive to most enthusiasts who would actually want a manual probably wouldn't be too concerned with an extra gear solely for a bit better MPG.

That is exactly my point. BMW has put the manual transmission into the "aint broke don't fix" category because it was no longer as important to them. Even if it is a fantastic box, its old now. Other makes have new 7 speed manuals. I have also read that the manual transmission in the E60/F10 M5 was disappointing. Same with the 550.

So what if it's old? What exactly can they do to update it? It's a fantastic manual box by all counts I'm not sure what they can change.